Updated on December 22, 2023 by Lou Mac
“When is the best time to visit Chile” sounds like a simple question, but the answer isn’t so simple.
If you didn’t know already, Chile is a staggeringly long country—it stretches from desert in the far north to glaciers in the far south (also known as the “Austral Zone.”)
Because of this, it’s pretty hard to give a one-size-fits-all answer!
But I’ve done my very best, and in this post I’ll break down the best time to visit specific regions in Chile, the pros and cons of visiting in specific months and also answer some commonly asked questions on the topic.
Best Time to Visit Chile
As I’ve mentioned, this Spanish-speaking South American country is incredibly long, and it’s broken up into sixteen different regions.
However for simplicity’s sake, I’ve categorised it into five main areas that travellers usually want to visit!
Northern Chile: Atacama
Best time to visit: March to May, September to November
You probably already know this if you’re looking to visit here, but Northern Chile is home to the Atacama Desert—the driest desert on Earth. The landscapes are insane to say the least, and the skies are the clearest in the world!
The best time to visit this region is March to May and September to November: The temperature is milder during these months, with warm days and cool nights but nothing too extreme. This period also has the added benefit of being the shoulder season, so prices aren’t as high and there are fewer crowds. It’s a win-win!
Peak season is during summer (so December to February) when the temperatures are higher, but actually not as high as you might imagine.
Central Chile: Santiago and Valparaíso
Best time to visit: March to May, September to November
While you can visit these regions at any time of the year, March to May or September to November is probably ideal.
This is for two reasons, the first of which is the weather: Santiago can be absolutely sweltering in the summer, so it’s definitely not the best time to be walking all around the city to see the sights! (This I know from experience). Then in winter it can get pretty cold and wet, so spring and autumn are your best options.
Being situated on the coast, Valparaíso is actually pretty pleasant during summer—but it’s the crowds that aren’t so ideal.
Which brings me to the second reason: these months are the shoulder seasons! This means there will be less tourists (and so less crowds), and you can usually expect accommodation to be cheaper.
Southern Chile: The Lakes Region and La Araucanía
Best time to visit: October to March
These regions are rich in natural beauty, from mountains to crystal-clear lakes to lush forests.
Though it’s beautiful at any time of the year, if you want to take advantage of the lakes and rivers and get some swimming in, you’ll want to go during the summer: December to February.
The downside of these months is that it’s the high season. You’ll often find crowds of people at the popular lakes and the accommodation is much more expensive (and booked out).
This is why I’ve also included October, November and March in my recommendation: Because although it might not be the best time for swimming, the weather is still usually nice and it’s much more pleasant due to the lack of tourists!
Austral Zone: Patagonia and La Carretera Austral
Best time to visit: October to April
Out of all of the regions we’ve covered, the weather is perhaps the most important thing to consider when visiting Chilean Patagonia and La Carretera Austral.
In Patagonia it can be unpredictable and often dangerous, so summer is your best bet for spending time camping, hiking and doing other outdoor activities. Even in the height of summer the nights can be freezing, so make sure you’re prepared!
Summer (December to March) is, however, packed with tourists in the popular spots (like Torres del Paine), so if you’re okay with somewhat unpredictable weather, then you could also consider visiting during spring (September to December) and autumn (March to May).
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Best time to visit: October to April
Once again, my recommendation is to go during the shoulder seasons of spring (September to December) and autumn (March to May).
Why, you ask? Based on my previous answers, you can probably take a guess: The weather is not too hot or too chilly during this time, and you’ll find fewer tourists. This means you can enjoy the island’s magic without the hustle and bustle! I have however included summer (December to March) in this recommendation because it’s also stunning during that time.
FAQs About When to Visit Chile
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Santiago, Chile?
As we mentioned earlier in the post, the best time to visit Santiago is usually March to May and September to November.
This is because the weather is usually better, and there are usually less tourists!
What is the Rainy Season in Chile?
Chile doesn’t have a rainy “season” per se, like some other countries in South America. But the wettest months are in winter, with July taking the cake for the wettest month.
What is the Hottest Month in Chile?
The answer to this depends on the region (as we know, Chile is a very diverse place!)
January tends to be the hottest month in the northern regions, like Santiago and the Atacama desert.
However towards the south, in Patagonia and surrounding areas, February is usually the hottest month.